#13 Sweet & Savory Trinkets 1 Year Charm of The Month Giveaway!

Momma Told Me: Enjoy the small things in life.

I don't recall ever having dreams of grandeur, seeing my name in lights, or owning a safe full of gold deep enough to swim in (thanks Scrooge McDuck). I do, however, recall being raised with an appreciation for life's smaller thrills; the somewhat overlooked simplicities of the day to day. Having realized the short time card we're each allowed at a young age, I suppose I thought it best, for me, to enjoy that which I had. While others in my class were writing essays about traveling to Mars, or selling platinum albums, I secretly dreamed of a house with a white picket fence and Labrador. When I finished school, and my friends chased dreams with credit cards and crazy schemes, I happily clipped coupons, baked cupcakes, and did as I pleased.

As an adult, not quite the brain surgeon, lawyer, or successful businesswoman my parents may have hoped for- I make a point to find small thrills every day, none the less. See, I believe the key to being happy is living your dreams on smaller scale. If you someday strike it rich in the state lottery and Fabio rides up on a white horse to carry you into the sunset, great! But, until then, look closely at what's surrounding you in the present. Does your snoring husband always leve the toilet seat up and leave laundry in random places such as the kitchen? Or do you have a careless man who would be lost without you, and brings a little extra challenge to your day? Call me a glass half full kinda gal, but I prefer to keep my molehills at ankle height and my clouds at '9'.

This outlook, and my slightly compulsive attention to detail, has led to quite the miniature obsession over the past year. I've always been a fan of handmade, and food, so why not handmade food? And if it can be pulled off on a 1/15th scale, well that's just more space for me to collect! And I know I'm not the only one with this secret admiration for tiny, fake, but oh so beautiful, food. It seems like hundreds of shops pop up on Etsy every day, all showcasing minis, all trying to cash in on the craze, and most doing surprisingly well. But as, what I know consider myself, an discerning purveyor of itty bitty clay food, there's a set of standards I look for. We've all seen the rainbow lollipops and cheeseburgers a millions times. If I want to admire tutorial pieces I'll pick up a book at the local craft store.

I can be brutally picky when shopping for minis, and even more discerning when buying them as charms for gifts. I want something unique, complex, reasonably priced, and well made. I wish I could afford $35 for a scale turkey, but I just can't. This usually means an Etsy treasury of hopes and dreams, and budgeting my 'collection' to one addition month. This is why I am completely beside myself to share with you one of my new all time Etsy favorites. Right up there with the timeless PriscillaDawn, is Sweet & Savory Trinkets by Heather Wells. You've been sufficiently warned- one trip, and you're through the rabbit hole. Not only are the creative miniatures full of heart and detail, but they're priced afford-ably. And if you just don't see something you had in mind, Heather is happy, no, tickled, to make you a custom piece at similar pricing!

A mother with 2 children at home, and a lifetime of crocheting experience, Heather enjoys dabbling in a little bit of everything. Only recently has she discovered a passion, and talent, for crafting miniature food. As an artist, and crafter, I have come to see she enjoys the thrill of creating and encountering new challenges. This is wonderful news for her customers, because no request is ever too hard, or too complex, and she won't try to overprice a request simply because it's 'different'. I wish all handmade dealers held to this practice, because, let's face it- if it's handmade, it had to be made special anyway (how much harder is it to make a new one to the customer's needs?). Heather's passion also translates to an enthusiasm for perfection that creates wonderfully unique pieces that are never identical, and hold their own character.

Sweet & Savory Trinkets sells plenty of sweets inspired charms, bobby pins, rings and more, as well as a sprinkling of growing entrees and food. Through the connecting blog, fans can interact with Heather directly, suggest the next month's releases, and play along to win free charms. Yup, she's my kind of woman all right- Heather knows how to kick butt and have fun doing it. While individual charms sell in the $2-$4 range on average, Heather likes to group items into sets for an awesome deal. Her January fresh inspired set of 3 charms retails for just $8 in the shop, and customers can score a free charm of choice on purchases $15 or greater!

Perhaps the most unique, and truly awesome, gift one could give or receive from Sweet & Savory Trinkets has to be the 6 Month or Year Charm of The Month Memberships. Every month Heather releases a special set of new charms, at least 2, and members are automatically sent a minimum of 2 new charms and a charm of their choosing (this can include a custom request!) If the month's charm set is greater than 2, you'll receive the whole set, included in your membership. With the minimum of 3 charms a month, on the 6 Month Membership, that's $2.77 per charm! And the savings are sure to be greater, as Heather has already announced February's set as a piece set. In addition, all club members receive 25% off all addition purchases, while being a member. You truly can't beat that!

I was ecstatic to receive a bundle in the mail from Sweet & Savory to review here on Momma Told Me! I was sent the Full Chocolate Charm Collection of 14 pieces, plus complimentary bracelet (to start me off), and a pair of adorable Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Earrings. Any girl would just adore to receive these minis, especially since these tempting treats are calorie free! My Charm Set arrived in a jewelry box with clear display window, and Introductory Pamphlet. I was immediately impressed by the professionalism of presentation, and Heather's brochure. Inside were photos of Heather's previous work, a breakdown of the Club and memberships and some customer thoughts, all on high glossy, tri-fold paper. I also received last month's Charm Package- Mexican Food, with the most ADORABLE and scrumptious looking fake taco I've ever seen!

The included bracelet came packaged in a clear pouch, with Sweet & Savory card. It's silver toned link style was perfect for attaching any arrangement of charms, and the heart shaped lobster clasp is precious! Now, the charms are almost dangerously realistic- I think I burned some calories just drooling over them and thinking about fresh truffles and chocolates. Each one featured a different chocolate combination, or swirls, with bon bons, cherry cordials, and creams. The only thing missing? A rich caramel chew! I must've had the largest smile on my face admiring these puppies and showing them off, I absolutely adore them and how they swing playfully from the bracelet.

The Chocolate Dipped Strawberry earrings (just $6 in the shop!) make for a wonderful, affordable, handmade gift anytime of the year. I live in the Strawberry Capital of the US, so I instantly fell in love with these minis. Heather has spared no detail, from the tiny pitting to delicate leaves, and chunks of nuts. I just wish these smelled as good as they looked! They're extremely light to wear, and ingeniously created to resemble freshly dipped strawberries with the flat backing where the berry would rest while cooling! You won't find anything as adorable at anywhere near this price in a mass produced accessory store!

I am absolutely in love with Sweet & Savory, and hope all my wonderful readers will be to. What's better than indulging, calorie free, and contributing to a mommy business? If you love what you see here, be sure to stop by the shop and pick up something for yourself, or family, or friends- then head over to Heather's blog where you can enter (daily) to win her monthly giveaway and suggest new creations!

What Daughter Says: I'm all about the 'little things' at the Sweet & Savory Etsy shop!

One very lucky Momma Told Me follower will win a 1 Year Membership to Sweet & Savory Trinkets' Charms of The Month Club!

Mandatory Entry: You must be a Momma Told Me follower, then visit Sweet & Savory Trinkets, and tell me what you like best!

Extra Entries:
*Heart your favorite Sweet & Savory piece on Etsy +1
*Heat the Sweet & Savory Trinkets Etsy shop +1
*Follow the Sweet & Savory blog +2
*Enter the giveaway post over at the Sweet & Savory blog +2
*Blog about this giveaway +4
*Subscribe to Momma Told Me via email +2
*'Like' Momma Told Me on Facebook AND share this giveaway +2
*Follow Momma Told Me on Twitter AND tweet this giveaway +2
*Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs here and claim +2 bonus entries!
*Enter the Gourmet Orchards Blog giveaway of the week +2
*'Like' Tavern Direct on Facebook +2
*Follow the Blog Pop! blogs: (+1 each)

1. Confessions of An Overworked Mom
2. Momma Told Me

3. Making Ends Meet
4. Stash Mama
5. Socialite's Closet Blog
6. Turning The Clock Back
7. Still Blonde After All these Years
8. Dad of Divas
9. Quick Tattle Tails
10. My Life With Rats And More

Giveaway begins May 6, 2011 and ends 12:01 AM PST on May 16, 2011. Winner will be notified via email, and posted here. Entries valid within US. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn. Prize will be transferred via sponsor.

As required by the FTC: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received a product sample for the purpose of my review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.